People are ultimately responsible for the lifestyle choices they make related to health. However, the best prediction of health behavior and long-lasting successful behavior change is often the community in which a person lives.

Freeborn County is working with communities to increase access and affordability of fresh produce, increase access and use of free and active recreational facilities, and promote non-motorized transportation (walking/biking).

Current Initiatives Include:

• Increased walking/biking to and from school, work and leisure
• Improved community design and traffic measures
• Increasing signage and promotion of parks, trails, bicycle routes and recreational facilities
• Increasing access and use of local farmers markets
• Increase the access to free and active recreational facilities

Links:

Communities:

• Freeborn County
• City of Albert Lea
• City of Glennville
• City of Alden
• City of Clarks Grove
• City of Emmons

Community Organizations:

• United way of Freeborn County
• Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Albert Lea Family Y
• Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce

Local Parks & Trails:

• Freeborn County Parks
• Pedal Minnesota: The Bike Friendly State
• Blazing Star State Trail
• Your guide to parks, tails and recreation in Freeborn County: www.gosoutheastmn.com.

Resources:

• Albert Lea Area Community Education Catalog
• Freeborn County Active Living Guide
• Bike Friendly Map
• MDH SHIP Community Fact Sheet
• Understand Transportation Planning and Programming (pdf)
• Fitness Forever
• Physical Activity Guidelines
• Tips for Increasing Daily Activity
• Physical Activity and Disability
• The “Let’s Move” Campaign
• America on the Move
• Minnesota Idea Open